A New Earth - Child Size Intro

A friend sent me this link to a discussion of A New Earth - For Kids.  I think simplying the concepts is a worthwhile consideration for adults as well as parents and so, I share it here.  The link is -

http://www.unityfamilymatters.org/articles/NSFM/2008/03mar/aNewEarthForKids.html 

From Unity - Family Matters

   

A New Earth for Kids

By Sue Woodward, Wendy Garrido, & Kim Bray

One of the most publicized books this month is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. It asks each of us to awaken to our own consciousness and it speaks of the power of consciousness to transform the world. As each generation leaps ahead of the ideas, beliefs, and limitations of the past, we evolve as a species creating a new level of awareness. It's our children who will lead us to a world of peace and compassion and it starts with helping them discover the truth of who they are. A New Earth asks us to stop living in our heads, with blame, fault, guilt, anger, sadness, prejudice and disharmony, and instead, asks us to tap into our consciousness, the truth that connects us all. Along the way, we discover our inner purpose and our inner gifts, and by doing so, we give others permission to do the same.

This month we start a multi-part series that engages children in discovering what powerful, wonderful BEINGs they are, by letting them figure out consciousness and awareness. The best gift we can give children is the ability to look within, as they learn to draw upon their own truths and tap into their own spirit. This is how true self-esteem develops, from the inside-out, based on who we are as a BEING, not what we are doing as a HUMAN. True self-esteem is a resource that empowers us to transform life events into opportunities to grow in spirit.

This is our first Engage-Aloud^TM article, designed to read and do with your children, so they can figure out consciousness and awareness by seeking answers within. We want kids to contemplate the possibilities until they “get it.” Most of the philosophy and ideas in this article are our interpretation of Tolle's ideas based on his books, The Power of Now and A New Earth.

• Does the life we live teach children to be a HUMAN DOING or a HUMAN BEING?
• Are we more focused on having things, looking right, acting right, attaining outward success, etc., or are we living a life that reflects who we truly are, and therefore who our children truly are?
• How do we inspire children on a daily basis to realize that happiness comes from the inside-out?
• Knowing that each person has value because they exist, how do we empower children with that truth?
• Do the children we interact with know that they have a gift within, an INNER PURPOSE?
• How do we let a child know that no matter what happens in life, their true self remains constant?

Ask your child the questions in this Engage-Aloud^TM article and have fun doing the exercises. Every time you encounter a ∞ sign, be sure to give your child all the time s/he needs to think about the question and discover his/her own, unique path to the answers. When they “get it,” you will see their face light up. Video tape your children as they answer these questions, have older kids write their answers down, or for younger kids, write them down for them. No editing or coaching, please! We may post them on our website, and you might just be picked to be on our future TV pilot show. Remember, let your child's answers unfold fresh and unaffected by you. Let them figure it out one step at a time. Example: Accept all their answers as valid for their process of discovery, and keep leading them in the direction you want them to go, by asking, “Okay, what else?” “Tell me more.”

Props

• A Rock
• Flashlight
• Mirror
• Closet
• A ring with a pretty stone

Read Aloud

Hold a rock in your hand. It feels really solid and hard, but a rock changes. In fact, it was once something else. Do you know how rocks are made?∞

A rock might have been sand, an animal or a plant a long time ago. When it becomes a rock it is made up of at least two minerals. The whole earth is made up of rocks and all rocks are made up of minerals. What's so special about a silly old rock?

Do you know what a diamond or a beautiful gem looks like? It is a shiny, brilliant stone that started out as a rock! Many diamonds are over 3,200,000,000 years old! That is 3.2 billion years! They form deep in the earth, where it is very hot and they also need lots of pressure to crystallize the rock, and then it transforms or turns into a gem.

Do you think the rock you're holding has a gem in it?∞ Probably not, but who knows what will happen to that rock in the next 3 billion years! The potential to become a gem is there because we believe it and know it somehow. Maybe your parents told you or you might have studied it in science class.

So what happens with this rock that has all this potential? Some rocks might be used as a paper weight on your mom's desk. Other rocks might be used as a border on a garden's edge. Some rocks are used to create a foundation for buildings. Some rocks, with the right conditions, eventually become diamonds. So, what the rock does, its OUTER PURPOSE, changes based on where it lands and what happens to it.

But do you think a rock knows it has that potential? Nope. But YOU know that a rock has potential, and that's the difference between a HUMAN BEING and a rock. You know things and knowing brings an awareness with it. From now on when you look at a rock you might think about, “I wonder what this rock has in it that I can't see?”

When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you see?

Who are you?

Fill in the blanks…
I Am ______________________________________
I Am ______________________________________
I Am ______________________________________

One thing you could have said is that you are a girl or a boy! So what are girls and boys? ∞You could have said that girls and boys are animals, and that is true. But, a cat is an animal, too, and you aren't a cat, so what else are you?∞ Boys, girls, men and women are all HUMAN BEINGs. What does that mean? The first word, HUMAN, always comes first because it's what we connect with first - our body and mind. Things we can see, feel, hear, touch and smell. We all have hair, eyes, bodies, we have a brain, and we think, talk, act and react. Although we have the same things, they are all different. Some eyes are blue, some are green. Some people small, some people are tall.

So, the first part of a HUMAN BEING is HUMAN, and is different for all of us. Each day things happen around us, and we react to those daily events, which are all parts of the adventure of BEING HUMAN. These adventures make up your OUTER PURPOSE.

Now, let's look at the second word in HUMAN BEING. BEING. Even though it's comes last, it's really the most important part of being a HUMAN BEING! When you are BEING, you know that no matter what happens around you, even if I get angry with you, no matter how you do at school, none of that affects your BEING. Your BEING is constant, always there for you, and connects you to who you truly are - your spirit!

Your Spirit

Your spirit is kind of like a lamp. There might be lots of different kinds of lamps in your house. Some lamps have cloth lamp shades, some have different light bulbs, some are different sizes, etc. Lamps have different OUTER PURPOSES. You might have a night light in your room so it's not so dark. There might be a bright light outside to light up your house.

What do you think a lamp or a light's INNER PURPOSE is?∞

We'd say it's to give light and to shine! What do most lights require to be able to accomplish their INNER PURPOSE?∞

They need to be plugged in to an energy source. What is that source for the lamp?∞ Electricity!

What do you think a BEING's energy source is?∞
Your spirit. Your INNER PURPOSE is to let your light shine, to become aware of your inner connection to everything that exists. In spite of all the HUMAN events and things that happen to you at school, at home, during the day, your spirit is lying there, waiting for your awareness, just like that beautiful diamond. So, what do you plug into each day for an energy source that is constant?∞

Your spirit. Plug into knowing and believing that you are connected to truth, beauty, life, peace and love, anytime, anywhere. Can you think of a time something happened on the HUMAN side that got you upset?∞ How did that make you feel?∞ What could you plug into next time that is constant, and always there for you?∞

INNER PURPOSE YOUR SPIRIT
When you get really upset, are you connected to the HUMAN part of you or the BEING part?∞

Of course, every one else in the whole world has a BEING, too. And their BEING is full of love, potential and peace. So, when your friend is angry at you, who's talking?∞ Is it the part of your friend that's HUMAN or their BEING?∞

So your job is to see the BEING in everyone when they are acting from the HUMAN part of them. Each person has a diamond inside and needs to connect to his own INNER PURPOSE, spirit, just like you. And every time you connect with your BEING, you help others see their own. You can help every person you come into contact with, by seeing the BEING in them. Can you tell when you're around someone whether they are acting from their HUMAN part or their BEING part?∞

You have a gift to bring to this world. As your parent, I am one of the lucky people who get to be in your life. When I act HUMAN, your BEING helps me remember to plug into the love and spirit , which is who I truly am.

Try standing in a dark closet, holding your flashlight, and turn it on, pointing it at the mirror. That single light reflects and spreads light all over. When you let your spirit shine, when you connect with your inner purpose, your light reflects and shines from one place to another, from one person to another. Your light shines throughout the world.

If your teacher gets angry because she doesn't think you are trying hard enough in school, she is talking from the HUMAN part of her instead of the BEING part. Plug in to your BEING, your INNER PURPOSE, it doesn't change because of what someone else thinks. Let your light shine, even if it seems no one around you is plugged in to their BEING. That is just when we need your light more than ever. Each person that your light shines on helps us make the world brighter.

You are a gift to this world, whether anyone else tells you that or not, and no matter what anyone says or does. Your potential lies within you, in BEING, just like the diamond in the rock, even if no one knows it is there. No one can take it away. You matter. You are important for the future of the world!

Questions for Kids

1. What do you think are the three most important things in your mom/female role model's life?

1.   ________________________
2.   ________________________
3.   ________________________

2. How proud do you think your mom/female role model is of you?
 |————————————————————-|
Not Very               Sort of                     Very

3. What do you think are the three most important things in your dad/male role model's life?

1.   ________________________
2.   ________________________
3.   ________________________

4. How proud do you think your dad/male role model is of you?
 |————————————————————-|
Not Very               Sort of                     Very

5. How proud do you think your family is of who you are in school?
 |————————————————————-|
Not Very               Sort of                     Very

6. How important do you think you are in the world?
 |————————————————————-|
Not Very               Sort of                     Very

7. Is there something really special about you, something that no one can change or take away from you? If so, what do you think it is? If not, what would you guess something like that might be?


Tolle, E. (2005). A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. New York: Plume
Tolle, E. (1999). The Power of Now. Vancouver: Namaste Publishing.

March 2008

Re: A New Earth - Child Size Part 2

The link is -

http://www.unityfamilymatters.org/articles/NSFM/2008/04apr/aNewEarthForKidsPart2.html

From Unity - Family Matters

 

A New Earth for Kids: Part 2

By Sue Woodward & Wendy Garrido

One of the most publicized books this month is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. It asks each of us to awaken to our own consciousness and it speaks of the power of consciousness to transform the world. As each generation leaps ahead of the ideas, beliefs, and limitations of the past, we evolve as a species creating a new level of awareness. It's our children who will lead us to a world of peace and compassion and it starts with helping them discover the truth of who they are. A New Earth asks us to stop living in our heads, with blame, fault, guilt, anger, sadness, prejudice and disharmony, and instead, asks us to tap into our consciousness, the truth that connects us all. Along the way, we discover our inner purpose and our inner gifts, and by doing so, we give others permission to do the same.

A Read-Aloud For Parents & Kids

Last month we wrote about the idea that there are two parts of a HUMAN BEING; the HUMAN part and the BEING part. The HUMAN part is made up of your body, your thoughts, your experiences, and your feelings. It's the part of you that identifies you as: “I am a boy. I am a girl. I am ten years old. I love dogs.” Those parts are all affected by what happens around you and changes on a daily basis. The BEING part of you is made up of your core, your center, who you truly are. It doesn't change. Your BEING identifies you as: “I am love. I am full of potential. I have a purpose and gift to bring to the world.” It remains constant no matter what happens around you. Staying connected to your BEING makes life easier because you are focused on the only thing you truly have control over- you! Therefore, you can go to that inner place of happiness, peace, and love no matter what happens to you, how someone treats you, or what goes on around you.

It's easy to see that the HUMAN part of everyone makes us unique, because we all have different ideas and thoughts. You react differently to something than your sister or brother might, for example. But the BEING part of us is all the same. It is the part of you that knows, “I am.” That's it! We all can say, “I am” and in that “I am” we are all alike. We are all of value because we exist. When we are connected to our BEING, we feel balanced, free, and an important part of all that exists.

“I am” is the smallest sentence in the English language, yet it has the biggest message for you in creating a life of happiness and purpose. “I am” brings you to your BEING, the part that no one can take away from you. There are times when you might feel very connected to your BEING and other times when you don't. Sometimes what happens around you affects the HUMAN part of you and you may feel like you are separated from your BEING, but that is only a feeling. The truth is that you have the power to connect to your BEING anytime, whenever you get your thoughts and feelings out of the way.

The answer to the question, “How do you feel today?” changes on any given day because you are answering from your HUMAN part, and your feelings usually change depending on what's going on around you. It's important to pay attention to how you feel, and to learn to notice the stories and excuses behind those feelings. There are as many stories as there are people! For instance, if I told you your grandma is coming to stay with you for a month, you might be happy about that. Another child might feel anxious because when her grandma comes, she has to share her bedroom with her. Maybe another child doesn't get along with his grandma so it makes him feel sad. The same thing happens but it affects each person differently because each person's thoughts and feelings come out of their story, which is based on their own past experiences.

Imagine that you're sitting by a lake on a beautiful sunny day. The water is calm and there are a few mallard ducks swimming around not too far off the shore. Two of the ducks start fighting, flapping their wings, and arguing about-well, who knows what ducks argue about?-food, territory, whatever. Then, all of a sudden, they both seem to give up at the same time and in the blink of an eye, the fight is over and they paddle off in opposite directions. With a few shakes of their wings, all the remaining angry energy is released and they float off peacefully, as if nothing had ever happened.

“If the duck had a human mind, it would keep the fight alive by thinking, by story-making. This would probably be the duck's story. “I don't believe what he just did. He came to within five inches of me. He thinks he owns this pond. He has no consideration for my private space. I'll never trust him again. …I'm not going to stand for this. I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget.”

-Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

It seems silly to imagine a duck thinking that way, but people do that all the time. And, so do you and I. We carry our anger, sadness, anxiety and pain from one situation to another, forgetting that we have another choice. We get so wrapped up in what we think and feel that we forget that we are wonderful because we exist. No matter what's going on around you, you can remember, “I am.” That is who you want to identify with.

And, it starts with paying attention to the feeling inside you, whatever it happens to be. Then, take a deep breath, focus all your attention on your breathing. In that moment, you are in the present moment and aware of your aliveness, which is something most of us take for granted on a daily basis. One way to move through an emotional issue is to tune in to the BEING part of you and focus on the breathing that brings you life.

You are a BEING who experiences emotions and situations every day. When you say “I am angry,” what does that mean? Are you anger? How is it different than saying “I feel angry”? When you say “I feel angry., it's still the HUMAN part of you that feels the anger, but it is not who you truly are. The BEING part of you is always coming from a place of trust and love, a place you can count on. You only have control over how you feel and think. You create those thoughts and feelings. And, you are much more than just thoughts and feelings. You are a HUMAN BEING.

Karen was angry. She had told her daughter, Sara, to come home right after school, but she was already a half hour late and not anywhere in sight. So Karen felt angry and disappointed, but it didn't stop there! She created a story of thoughts about just why her daughter had done this. It started with “I'll bet she lied to me. I am so tired of not being listened to…” and you can imagine where it went from there. Her mind started to make up a story based on her past experiences that supported her expectation of what was happening. She created a story that Sara was doing something to her and that story didn't make her feel very good. Karen reacted and lost trust in her daughter, but it had nothing to do with her daughter! Ten minutes later Sara ran into the house and said, “Mom, I'm sorry I'm late. There was a big accident on the way home and there was a little girl crying so I talked to her until the police and ambulance came.” Suddenly all of Karen's thoughts changed in a moment. Everything she'd been thinking and saying before had been nothing more than a story.

What stories do you tell about your life? When your busy mind creates stories to justify your feelings, you begin to think that you are your feelings, stories, and thoughts. But you don't have to think that way. You have a choice. Focus on BEING instead. Take responsibility for your behavior, and let others be responsible for their own thoughts, feelings, and actions.

So, how can you take responsibility and connect to your BEING? There are so many things that happen in a day, how can you reach for BEING when the HUMAN part of you is reacting? The only thing you truly have control over is how you think, feel, and act. The first step is to stop resisting what happens in your life. Things are the way they are right now. Accept it. When you are able to do that you stop being affected by what happens around you and you can focus instead on connecting to your BEING.

The same goes for accepting your past instead of resisting it. The past is what it is. Let's say that someone said something that hurt your feelings. You can make up stories that put more energy into what happened or you can simply accept it. Stop judging it. You may not want it to happen again and you may wish it had never happened. But it happened. You might say, “But I don't deserve to be treated that way! What that person said was wrong!” Even if everyone in the world might agree with you, does it make you feel any better? You can be right, or you can be happy.¹ Which do you choose? When we depend on others saying and doing the right thing in order to feel happy, it's a temporary happiness, one that we have no control over maintaining. When you accept what is, you open the door to peace, happiness, and love.

Develop a practice of BEING each day. Start with deciding what you are going to pay attention to. It might be connecting with BEING by focusing on your breathing, or doing yoga, painting, running, hiking, or playing music. Whatever makes you focus your awareness on something other than your thoughts and feelings. It should take you to an awareness that you're not just a HUMAN DOING, you're a HUMAN BEING. In each moment there is a chance for you to feel your aliveness. On a sunny day you might close your eyes and focus all your attention to the song of the birds, returning back from their winter journey. Or, if you're indoors, lie on the floor and breathe deeply. Now focus all your attention and all your thoughts to your toes. Then move your attention to other parts of your body. Focus only on what you are doing. Or, pick a flower and just look at it. Look deep within and pay attention to the details of that flower without using labels. And if your mom or dad is angry about something, try looking at them with all your attention. Focus on who they are and feel what it feels like to accept the moment instead of reacting. See beyond their words to their love for you. All of these are small steps to move from living as a HUMAN DOING to living as a HUMAN BEING.

When you see someone acting as a HUMAN DOING, it is a reminder that you can respond as a HUMAN BEING. Stop resisting what life brings your way. Connect with your inner awareness no matter what happens around you. Watch how life changes when you tap into all the energy and power that is. Let your thoughts and feelings guide you in a wonderful creative process, a process in which you find your true self. You are a wonderful and important part of the world.

Let us know how you're connecting with your BEING. E-mail us at: Being@northstarfamilymatters.com?subject=A%20New%20Earth%20for%20Kids">mailto:Being@northstarfamilymatters.com?subject=A%20New%20Earth%20for%20Kids

¹Marshall Rosenberg, founder of Nonviolent Communication Tolle, E. (2005). A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. New York: Plume. Tolle, E. (1999). The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. Vancouver: Namaste Publishing.

Re: A New Earth - Child Size Power of Stories

The link is -

http://www.unityfamilymatters.org/articles/NSFM/2008/05may/aNewEarthForKids-ThePowerOfStories.html

From Unity - Family Matters

 

A New Earth for Kids: The Power of Stories

By Sue Woodward & Wendy Garrido

An Engage Aloud For Parents & Kids

This series of articles is inspired by one of this year's most publicized books, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This book asks each of us to awaken to our own consciousness and it speaks of the power of consciousness to transform the world. As each generation leaps ahead of the ideas, beliefs, and limitations of the past, we evolve as a species creating a new level of awareness. It's our children who will lead us to a world of peace and compassion and it starts with helping them discover the truth of who they are. A New Earth asks us to stop living in our heads, with blame, fault, guilt, anger, sadness, prejudice and disharmony, and instead, asks us to tap into our consciousness, the truth that connects us all. Along the way, we discover our inner purpose and our inner gifts, and by doing so, we give others permission to do the same.

Every time you encounter a ∞ sign, be sure to give your child all the time s/he needs to think about the question and discover his/her own, unique answers.

Stories are amazing things. Whether they are real or not, they have the power to influence our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Stories come in different forms and some are true while others are not. You already know about written or spoken stories, but your own thoughts can also be stories. In this article we're talking about the stories you create by what you think–they tell about your life and reflect how you make sense out of the world around you. Imagine that you have a Life Memory Backpack. In it you carry all your stories, memories, and feelings about the people, events, and circumstances of your life. The contents of this backpack determine how you see the world, what's important to you, and what you believe. What you keep in your backpack has the power to influence your life in both healthy and unhealthy ways. Some stories relax, empower, or inspire you while other stories bring up emotions of fear, hurt, sadness, or anxiety. Can you think of a story that makes you feel excited just by telling it? ∞ What about a story that makes you feel sad? ∞ Even though those stories aren't happening right now, do you notice how your feelings change just by thinking about them? Your mind and body remember the reactions that happened with those events. When you tell the story, your mind and body react as if it were happening again now. Any negative emotional reactions weigh down your backpack, and bring those old reactions into new situations.

One of the wonderful things about how our minds work is that we have bright imaginations and can think about anything, anywhere, anytime. But sometimes that creativity actually gets in the way of living life. In our busy lives, we spend much of our time thinking about the past or the future, worrying about something that happened or imagining what might happen in the future. The more negative emotions we carry around from the past, the more we struggle to enjoy the present. Can you think of a time when your thoughts about the past or future kept you from enjoying the present? ∞ The problem with thoughts about the past and future is that we have no control over what has already happened or what is going to happen. The only thing we can affect is the present. Right now, in this moment. When we connect with our BEING we stop thinking about the past or the future and experience what's happening now.

To experience being a HUMAN BEING is to gain the ability to live and enjoy life as it's happening. The HUMAN part of you, which is your mind and body, creates stories based on your experiences, which it reacts to as if the stories are true. These stories are unique to you. If something happens in front of you and your best friend, do you think you would both remember  it with the same details? ∞ Have you ever gotten into an argument with someone about what happened, or what was said and both of you have two different stories about it? ∞ Sometimes the HUMAN side of you believes something is true even when it may not be. Is there a time when you thought a story was true but then found out it wasn't? ∞ Or maybe you had a dream where something happened in the dream but when you woke up you thought it was real? Have you had a dream like that? ∞ Your mind also picks up information from things you hear, read about, or see on TV, and then creates a story about what you have seen.

Stories often change over time. Sometimes they change on a daily basis. For example, is there something that you thought was really important one day that didn't seem to matter to you as much the next day? ∞ There are other stories that we hold on to for a long time and we keep feeling sad, scared, angry, or upset when we think about them, until we figure out a way to stop reacting.

Negative emotional reactions weigh your backpack down until we pay attention to them. It's like they're saying, “Hey! There's a problem here. Do something about this story! This is causing trouble.” Think of your thoughts as energy, and realize that your negative stories, emotions and feelings drain your energy like a battery. You have the choice to take those negative stories out of your backpack. To do this, we have to take the time to acknowledge those stories and how they make us feel. Then, we find a way to rewrite them so we can move on in life without carrying all that sadness, fear, anger or anxiety. Is there a story you'd like to rewrite and stop carrying around?∞

There are many ways you can rewrite your stories. You can do something to transform that negative energy into a positive one of love. It might be by trying EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), meditating, doing yoga, or sharing your story with someone you trust who can help you let go of the anger, sadness or pain. Sometimes writing about something that happened helps us let go of the pain. If you leave those negative stories and emotions stuffed away in your backpack, they start to affect our health. Negative stories and emotions create stress in our bodies and stress puts a tremendous drain on how our body runs. When you rewrite those negative stories you connect more easily with your BEING and the present.

Remember that your stories are not who you are. On the other side of those stories is the truth that allows you to enjoy life in the moment. Sometimes you might start to believe that your story is your truth and who you are, but the truth of who you are lies within and never changes. The BEING that is truly you lies in and between every cell in your body and connects you to the world. You are always full of love and potential and energy. Stories are just stories. They are not you.

Re: A New Earth - Child Size Living Now

The link is -

http://www.unityfamilymatters.org/articles/NSFM/2008/06jun/aNewEarthForKids.html

From Unity - Family Matters

 

A New Earth for Kids: Living Now

By Sue Woodward & Wendy Garrido

An Engage Aloud For Parents & Kids

This series of articles is inspired by one of this year's most publicized books, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This book asks each of us to awaken to our own consciousness and it speaks of the power of consciousness to transform the world. As each generation leaps ahead of the ideas, beliefs, and limitations of the past, we evolve as a species creating a new level of awareness. It's our children who will lead us to a world of peace and compassion and it starts with helping them discover the truth of who they are. A New Earth asks us to stop living in our heads, with blame, fault, guilt, anger, sadness, prejudice and disharmony, and instead, asks us to tap into our consciousness, the truth that connects us all. Along the way, we discover our inner purpose and our inner gifts, and by doing so, we give others permission to do the same.

Every time you encounter a ∞ sign, be sure to give your child all the time s/he needs to think about the question and discover his/her own, unique answers.

LIFE
 

Let's start out with a question. What do you think life is? ∞ Okay, you think life is _______________________. When do you think life happens? ∞ Let's think of your time on earth, all that has happened to you, as your timeline. You might have seen a timeline in school, as it's a popular way to visualize things or events that happen over a period of time. Let's do yours!

On the next page is your life timeline (Timeline 1). What are some important dates to put on it? ∞ Maybe when you were born. What else? ∞ When you started walking. What else? ∞

Most of what you put on your timeline is from the past, things that have already happened. There are also lots of things that happened that you won't put on your line. Why do you think that might be? ∞ Would you put “Oh, I remember. I scratched my elbow two years ago because a bug bit me,” on this time line? ∞ Why not? ∞“What does it take for something to be on this line? ∞ It has to matter to you, so you remember it easily. You probably don't remember being born, but that was your entry into the physical world and your birthday becomes an important day to you and your parents as you celebrate each year. Significance, or how much something affects you, helps filter all the events of your life and determines the past that you think about.

Let's zoom in to today, from this morning to your bedtime (Timeline 2). We are looking for smaller amounts of time, and since today just happened, we can remember more details. What did you have for breakfast on the first Thursday of last month? ∞ Hard to remember unless you eat the same thing every single day! But, what did you have for breakfast this morning! ∞ You can probably remember what you thought or talked about at breakfast today, but not last month!
 

Were there any “big” events that happened already today? ∞ Can you remember a lot of “little” things you did today? ∞ All the things you remember doing you could put on your timeline, but they are all in the past too. In fact, if you just heard or read that last sentence, it's already in the past! Oops, it happened again!
 

So, let's zoom in even closer! What were you doing an hour ago? ∞ NOW, closer.
 

What were you doing a minute ago? ∞ What are you doing right NOW? ∞
 

Everything lies in three places, the Past - NOW - Future. So zoom in to where right NOW is on this line and place your finger on the NOW. If it's 1:00PM you might put your finger there. Would your finger stay still or does it always keep moving? ∞ It is always moving! Everything that happened before NOW is the past and it's over. Oops! There went another NOW again! That last questionis just a memory in the NOW.
 

So, let's move beyond the NOW. That is the future and it hasn't happened yet. Put your right finger on the timeline where this morning would be. Then, keep your left finger on NOW. Then, put your left pinky finger on the past–and don't forget to keep that NOW arrow moving while your pinky is on the past and your finger is still pointed to the future! Wow! That's not easy!! NOW gets hard to keep track of when part of you is focused on the past and another part of you is worrying about the future. You are all over the place! And, that's what happens to us.

NOW
 

Do you remember what part of time is always moving? ∞ Past? Future? NOW?
 

The NOW is always moving because it is where life happens. In each breath you take, life is there. When you laugh, talk, dance, meditate, sing, paint, play, or learn, life is right there in the NOW, and only in the NOW! Your NOW moves right along with you, wherever you go, whatever you think, whatever you do. Life only exists in that moment of NOW.

So if you wanted to focus on just one of these, the past, the future, or the NOW, which do think is the best place to put your energy?∞ Go back and put your finger on the NOW of the timeline, and, of course, keep it moving. It's so much easier when you focus on the NOW and don't worry about the past or the future. Try it. Put your finger on the NOW. Tell me what's happening NOW? ∞
 

So the NOW is life and in that NOW is the power of life. It's the only time you have control over what happens. Can you go back and change the past? ∞ So why do we spend so much time thinking about it or wishing we could? Is there a memory of yours from this week or from some other time in your life that you keep thinking about even though it's in the past? ∞ When you think about it, how does it make you feel? ∞ It is over and done with yet how you think about the past still affects your NOW. Can you think of something that happened that made you feel sad in the past month? ∞ It's in the past but if you still feel sad, your memories and thoughts are taking over your NOW! They are robbing you of your power! And, they do the same thing to adults. Can you think of a time your mom or dad carried their sadness or anger around? ∞ How about a friend? ∞ Does it make us feel any better? ∞

If your Mom got angry when you came home from school, what could she do to stop carrying that anger around? ∞ You might tell her you are sorry it happened and remind her that it's not happening NOW! It's over, in the past. Life is only in the NOW, and it passes right by if you forget to connect with it. The best thing we can do is to connect with each NOW moment and tap into the power that exists. New ideas, creativity, peace, love, abundance - all exist in the NOW.
 

If you can stay in the NOW moment, you feel better! A feeling is there for a purpose–to make you pay attention to something. So pay attention and move through that feeling to the NOW. Sometimes our brains hold onto strong reactions as a way of protecting us. But you have the power to do things to clean up your brain. Try laughing a big, big laugh six times a day, especially when you have a repeating negative emotion. Or, try yawning. Yawning helps us let go of this brain-made stress and reroute our thoughts. How about mediation, prayer, yoga, dance, music…how do you think these would help? ∞ When you put your focus or attention into the NOW, you clear your thoughts and connect with everything that exists. The NOW is always here, waiting for your attention.
 

TRUST

Did you know that everything is moving? Pick up a ball and hold it really still. Even if you place it on the table it is still moving. What makes it move? ∞ The rotation of the earth is always creating movement, but we hardly ever notice it. We notice that the sun changes position, and the shadows move throughout the day, but the sun goes so slowly across the sky during the day it's hard to notice the change minute-to-minute. But what happens when the sun sets? ∞ Suddenly you can actually see how fast the earth is turning. Why do you think that is? ∞ The sun is moving all day long, through an infinite number of “NOW” moments, but it is only at the beginning or end of the day, when we can see it compared to the horizon, or edge of the earth, that we become aware of the speed.

Sometimes people only appreciate the NOW near the beginning or end of life. Unless you focus on the NOW in every moment of your life, it flies by before you notice it. The NOW is always moving, and even though you don't know what will happen in the future, you can trust that when it becomes the NOW, you will be able to deal with it.
 

In the NOW of life is the world of possibilities. That is where your creativity lies, where your thoughts connect with all the possibilities and where we discover the energy of life. If you stay focused on things from the past, you are not in the NOW. If you live in sadness or anger you cut yourself off from the NOW energy. Stop resisting what happened, and get in the NOW.
 

Can you feel your life, your breath, your heart beat? How can you let go of the past or future and tune in to the NOW? ∞ Close your eyes and take three deep breaths and just listen to your breathing. Let all the air out slowly and feel the life energy coming in and flowing out. Do you feel goose bumps as you take those breaths? ∞ Try it again. NOW close your eyes and find your heartbeat. Use your first two fingers and put them on the side of your neck, right next to your throat. Can you feel your heart beating? ∞ In each beat is life. In that heartbeat and in each breath is the NOW. You can always bring your attention to the NOW with your NOW fingers… feeling your heartbeat. NOW is life.
 

Let's stay in the NOW and discover what you might find here. The first thing you might notice is that your thoughts are more focused. You are narrowing your concentration or focus to NOW, instead of the past and future. When you were listening to your breathing you probably weren't thinking about what happened earlier today! You begin to focus and get closer to the NOW. Thoughts might keep trying to slip into your mind to pull your attention away from being in the NOW, but the more you practice, the easier it gets.
 

Do you have any thoughts that keep trying to take you out of the NOW and into the past or the future? ∞ Take your three deep breaths again. Do those thoughts make you feel sad, frustrated, worried or angry? ∞
 

Feelings are reactions that happen between an experience and you. Some kids might see a boat and jump in it, feeling great, ready to sail. Another kid might see a boat and feel scared, because he is afraid of being in the water. Maybe something happened when he was young. Things don't affect everyone the same way. And, no one is right or wrong! How they feel makes sense to them based on their experiences.
 

Your feelings are a reflection of all the experiences in your past that have somehow become strong enough set our body and memory off! If you had a bad experience on a boat, the brain goes, “A boat! A boat was very scary and you were afraid.” These are the reactions you had then, and when you hear or see a boat, your body remembers that. It brings that past memory into the NOW because it is trying to keep you safe. But in the NOW, these messages are just stored memories that pull us off track, and actually keep us from life which only exists in the NOW. You don't have to be protected from life, you have to live it! Each moment.
 

Did you know that when an athlete lays down and imagines running a race, her body reacts as if she really did! The brain doesn't know the difference between things that are real and thoughts. Whether it's happening NOW or you're just thinking about it NOW, your body reacts the same way.
 

Your feelings are important. What you do with the feelings is what brings the power of NOW to your life. In that moment, you can decide what you want to do next, and next, and next. Do you want to let a feeling go, do you want to do something to change that feeling or do you just want to carry it around? ∞ The NOW is filled with the power of your choices and no one else can make the choices for you. This week try noticing the NOW and making a choice about how you want to create your life. Life is alive, vibrant, a point in time where you can interact and connect with the power that exists that you may not see, but it is there. And, just like gravity, you can trust that you can count on it, and use it to make your life what you want.
 

Next month, we'll go looking for where happiness lives!

June 2008

Re: A New Earth - Child Size Happiness

The link is -

http://www.unityfamilymatters.org/articles/NSFM/2008/07jul/aNewEarthForKids.html 

From Unity - Family Matters

 

A New Earth for Kids: Discovering Happiness

By Sue Woodward

This series of articles is inspired by one of this year's most publicized books, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This book asks each of us to awaken to our own consciousness and it speaks of the power of consciousness to transform the world. As each generation leaps ahead of the ideas, beliefs, and limitations of the past, we evolve as a species creating a new level of awareness. It's our children who will lead us to a world of peace and compassion and it starts with helping them discover the truth of who they are. A New Earth asks us to stop living in our heads, with blame, fault, guilt, anger, sadness, prejudice and disharmony, and instead, asks us to tap into our consciousness, the truth that connects us all. Along the way, we discover our inner purpose and our inner gifts, and by doing so, we give others permission to do the same.

An Engage Aloud For Parents & Kids

Every time you encounter a ∞ sign, be sure to give your child all the time s/he needs to think about the question and discover his/her own, unique answers.

Is Happiness Just a Matter of What Happens to You?

Was there ever something such as a toy, a visit to a friend's house, or something else that you really, really wanted? What was it? ∞ Then, when you got it, it just wasn't all that you dreamed it would be? Maybe the toy didn't work as well as you thought, it wasn't as much fun as you expected, or you felt bored at your friend's house. Maybe for a couple seconds, minutes, or hours, you felt happy, but after that, the old feelings of wanting something else came back.

Many people, both adults and children, think that our circumstances, or what happens to us, determine our ability to feel happy. We say, “If only this happened or that happened, or if she didn't do that or he didn't do this, then I'd be happy.” When is the last time you felt that way?∞You may notice that even when circumstances change, you still find reasons not to be happy! Even when people win the lottery, after some time, half of them don't feel any happier than they did before. If you go through life basing your happiness on other people or things changing, you give up your power and life becomes a series of emotional ups and downs, just like a rollercoaster. Can you think of a time when you were on an emotional roller coaster? ∞

True happiness exists in each moment of life, as you are living it. It is not dependent on things or circumstances, but rather your ability to accept what life brings you in the present moment, and stay connected to your inner BEING. You take control of your happiness when you take responsibility for how you think and act in the moments of life. The sooner you learn to take responsibility for your own happiness, the more satisfying, secure, and fulfilling life will be. You have the power to choose your thoughts and reactions in life. That's the first step to finding the happiness that exists in every moment of time. Can you tell me a time you got upset because of something someone else did or said? ∞ How could you change your thoughts and reactions so next time you can still tap into the happiness that exists in life? ∞
 

Sally tells Rinya that she doesn't want to walk home with her. Rinya feels sad at first, and pays attention to her sadness. She realizes that she's sad because, in a way, she's thinking, “If Sally would just walk home with me, then I'd be happy.” Then she notices how silly that is. She doesn't want to keep reacting to everything around her or she'd be bouncing up and down like a ball. Rinya takes a deep breath, turns to Sally, and says, “I'll miss you but it's a beautiful day and I am going to enjoy every moment.” Rinya takes responsibility for her feelings and emotions, and anytime those negative thoughts creep in, she taps them away with EFT.
 

What we choose to pay attention to is the major factor in feeling happy, and it is a choice we have in every moment of life. Rinya could have spent lots of time worrying about why Sally didn't want to walk home with her. She might have made up all kinds of stories and blown the issue up into something much bigger than it had to be. But what's the point? If she focused her attention on her fears and worries, she would have just felt more and more upset. Instead, she chose to accept the situation, and focus on the beauty of the moment. Then she could connect with her own source of happiness. What would you like to change about how you see the world, to take some of the pressure, sadness or anxiety off?∞

What You Pay Attention To

Let's say you're waiting in line at the post office with your dad, waiting to mail a package and buy some stamps. There is a big display on the wall with gift boxes, stamps, and photos. The cashier is talking to a man who is mad because a letter he sent got lost. There's a baby in line behind you who goes from happy gurgling to screaming back to happy gurgling. After your stop at the post office, you're going to the swimming pool for swimming lessons with your best friend.
 

In this simple scene, there are so many things that you can focus on. What part of the post office scene that you just read about sticks out most in your mind right now? ∞ If you were really standing in that line at the post office, what do you think you would be thinking about or paying attention to? ∞ Do you think that how happy you would be while you're waiting in line might depend on what you're paying attention to?∞
 

Maybe the lady in front of you is frowning about the crying baby or your dad is busy counting out the money he's going to use to pay for the package. You might not even be paying attention to what's happening in the post office because you're thinking about how great the swimming lessons are going to be. Every person has a different experience because they're all noticing different things. If a reporter stopped each person as they were leaving the post office and asked them to describe what was going on, each person would have a different recollection, even if some things would be the same.
 

You have a choice about what you choose to focus on. You could focus on the things that make you feel sad or annoyed, or you could focus on things that make you feel good. You could look at stamps, think about going swimming afterward, or let your dad know that you are going to sit on the bench outside and wait.

Happiness isn't about denying that there are all sorts of terrible things that go on in the world. It is about acknowledging what you have control over–you have the ability to change your thoughts and take responsibility for your own well-being in every moment of life. Spending time wishing things were different just creates frustration and resistance. Paying attention to the emotions that you feel, helps you realize what kind of thoughts you are thinking and what kind of action to take. You can change how you think or act to bring you happiness in the moment. Stop resisting what's going on, accept it, and then decide how you want to act and respond in the next moment. We can all impact the world in a positive way, and in fact, we are most powerful when we are coming from a place of trust and love.
 

Geoff went to school but today was different. His favorite teacher snapped at him when he asked a question in math. At first Geoff reacted with pain and sadness. He thought, “I must have done something wrong for Mr. Cramer to treat me like that. I better keep quiet and not ask any questions.” The whole day felt uncomfortable and it affected all his classes. When he got home and downloaded days with his mom, she asked him how he could think about the situation differently. It seemed he was wishing this hadn't happened, but it did. The first step was just to accept what happened. He already felt better acknowledging that it was over and done with. Then he tried to think about the situation in a different way. “Mr. Cramer is usually really nice to us, so if he wasn't today, maybe it wasn't my fault after all. I like him enough that I want to find out what happened.” Then he decided that the next day he would stop in before class and ask Mr. Cramer if there was a problem. The next day he did just that. Mr. Cramer had tears in his eyes as he listened and then said, “Geoff, I was feeling way out of sorts yesterday. I just found out my brother has cancer and I wasn't dealing with it very well. I probably should have let the class know that, but I didn't. Thanks for letting me know what an influence I am in your life. Remember, you are never responsible for how I or anyone else reacts, but because you chose to address your feelings, you have impacted not just your life and mine, but how I will be with all the kids throughout the day.”

What's Happened To You

All of your past experiences affect how you see the world and your place in it. Your view and reaction to what is happening in each moment is colored by your past. When you are unhappy, it's often because something has triggered you with past anger, sadness, fear or anxiety.
 

Can you think of a time you suddenly felt angry? ∞ What triggered you? ∞ Remember the lady in the post office? If she had been around a loud, crying baby all day, she might be more likely to be extra-sensitive and annoyed by the baby crying in line. If the man whose letter got lost had a brother who always stole things from him, he might be reacting to this situation as if someone intentionally tried to lose his letter. These past experiences impact how people react in the present, but they don't change the fact that we can choose happiness in spite of the circumstances, or use them as our excuse for being unhappy. Happiness is there waiting for you in every moment. Do you want to choose happiness or make excuses? ∞
 

Likewise, the past can be a positive influence on the present. If you encounter a problem that you have already solved in the past, you are much more likely to feel confident about your ability to deal with it in the present. The key is that the past is just another influence on the thoughts that we have in the present. In every moment, there is another perspective, another way of looking at things that we could adopt instead of repeating the thoughts we have learned.

When You're Not Feeling Happy
 

When do you feel unhappy? ∞ Any time you are feeling angry, sad, frustrated, or anxious because you just aren't happy with what's going on, you are putting stress on your mind and body. We feel stress when we resist what is.
 

When something happens and you feel upset, take the time to acknowledge and feel your sadness, madness, or whatever you feel. When you feel unhappy, try to figure out what you are wishing would change about the situation or person so you can feel happy. When you realize that you are counting on the world around you to change, it's easy to see that you have another choice. Do you want to continue feeling upset about something you can't change or do you want to be happy? ∞
 

Sometimes, it might be helpful to look at your current situation as if it were on a TV screen. There you are, a character in a movie or TV episode, late for school and your mom and your sister are upset. By taking this perspective you have become the observer of what is happening and that observer is always connected to the calm that is in every moment. You have pulled away from your reactive mind and are seeing that how you act and react is part of your experience, but not who you truly are. You are more than just a physical person, and you can choose to step back and pick a different path to end the drama of fear, sadness, and anger.
 

Jamie looked at how bad he felt and that his parents were upset because he had forgotten to do his homework again. His mom started talking about what needed to happen for him to get on track. His dad just looked at him, with eyes that said, “Why can't you just do this right?”
 

Jamie put his family and himself on the world TV screen and looked at the situation. They were acting like they always did, and Jamie had forgotten, which he always did. But now Jamie was able to look at this without being a part of it. He was not responsible for his parents' reactions. He could only take responsiblty for his own. He thought about plugging into the world energy, and connecting this TV screen into it. He took a deep breath, and let go of feeling judged. He knew that he was a great kid. Then he let go of his frustration that his parents were always putting pressure on him. He tapped gently on the side of his hand and said “I am a wonderful kid even if I struggle with schedules.” Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and asked within for a solution, something that would change this situation forever…he didn't know what or where, but he knew if he plugged in, it would come. Then he saw that he had a choice! He smiled and went over and kissed his mom and said, “I'm sorry you're so upset, but it already happened. Life is now!”
 

He told his parents that he was going to talk to his teacher about the homework, because he didn't want to do it. What was the point of doing it if he didn't want to? He thought, Do I want to flunk a grade? Not really. What do I want to create? Something changed and he could now see that he was creating what happened by not taking responsibility for what he wanted to happened. And, that was the start of Jamie taking responsibility for his own happiness.
 

Every moment is an opportunity to realize that we are much more than just what happens to us. We are alive and miracles and magic exist in every moment, right now. You have access to an unlimited amount of knowledge and information that exists in the world, waiting to be heard. Just like the discovery of gravity, life is about paying attention to what is true. It was always there, just waiting for someone to think and understand it. Now is the time to understand who you truly are.

July 2008

Re: A New Earth - Child Size Muscle

The link is -

http://www.unityfamilymatters.org/articles/NSFM/2008/09sep/aNewEarthForKids.html 

From Unity - Family Matters

 

A New Earth for Kids: Human Muscle or Being Muscle

By Sue Woodward & Wendy Garrido

An Engage Aloud For Parents & Kids

Every time you see the ∞ sign, be sure to give your child all the time s/he needs to think about the question and discover his/her own, unique answers.

The last of our six-part series, inspired from Eckart Tolle's A New Earth, is about the importance of strengthening your BEING Muscle. NSFM magazine is founded on the belief that if we empower kids with life skills and tools, they will naturally stay connected to their BEING. Kids come into the world ready to connect, and the limit of what we believe is possible is where they begin.

As we discussed earlier in this series, a HUMAN BEING is made up of two parts.  The HUMAN part of you is your mind and body. Based on your life experiences, your HUMAN part acts and reacts to the world, creating your reality or life, which is different than mine. Sometimes the HUMAN side of you believes something is true, even when it may not be! 
 

The other part of you is your BEING and it exists throughout you, and identifies you as love, potential, brilliance, worthiness, and uniqueness. Your BEING remains constant no matter how anyone treats you or what happens around you. It is always there to guide you through life. Staying connected to your BEING makes life easier because you are focused on the only thing you truly have control over-YOU! Therefore, you can always go to your BEING, and find your PLACE of Peace, Love, Appreciation, Compassion, and Empathy.

Note: NSFM's concept of BEING Muscle is what Tolle calls the “spiritual muscle.” This is one area where we see beyond the limitations of Tolle and Oprah, who seem to believe that consciousness comes with age. They have said that as adults we can “learn” to raise our consciousness, and have implied that children are not capable of “learning to raise their consciousness.” NSFM believes kids come into this world connected to their BEING, but most of us are not empowered with the knowledge or tools to maintain that connection.
 

Many of us were conditioned from a young age to disconnect from our BEING part. Instead of listening to our inner knowledge, to the wisdom, wonder, and compassion that exists within us at all times, we were taught to listen to others. We shut down and did as we were told, even when it didn't feel right to us. No wonder that so many of us are now having to learn to reconnect with our BEING again, after all that practice of burying it, pushing it aside, and ignoring it! I certainly don't want that for you!
 

Did you ever try to run a mile? ∞ The first time you try it seems hard, but as you practice, it gets easier and easier. That's because your muscles get stronger. What muscles do you know of in your body? ∞ What do you think would happen if you stopped using those muscles? ∞
 

The same thing goes for your BEING Muscle. As you practice connecting to your BEING and focusing on the NOW moment instead of reacting to what's going on around you, your BEING Muscle gets stronger and easier to use. Your BEING Muscle is there to support you throughout all your life experiences.  What do you like to do to strengthen those HUMAN muscles? ∞ What do you like to do to strengthen your BEING Muscle? ∞ What you are passionate about and love to do often connects you to your BEING.
 

BEING exists in life, and life exists only in the NOW moments.

Take your first two fingers and place them on the side of your neck, underneath your chin, next to your throat.  Move them around until you feel your heart beat. In that beat is where the NOW exists. And, that is the only place life exists. The past is the past but it is no longer life. Right NOW IS LIFE!  Your BEING Muscle operates in the NOW.
 

When something happens in life, you need to bring your attention to it, just like we brought your attention to your heartbeat.  Your heart is always beating but you seldom pay attention to it. Your power lies in bringing your attention to the NOW moment. As your BEING Muscle gets stronger, it becomes easier to recognize that in each NOW moment of life, you have a choice. You may not be able to change what someone else says or does, but you can change how you respond. You are a powerful BEING. 
 

Do you believe you are a powerful BEING? ∞ What things happen that make you think that you aren't a powerful BEING? ∞ How do you think connecting with your BEING would help that situation? ∞
 

Take off your shoes and socks. Now, wiggle your big toe. You decided you wanted to wiggle your big toe and when you brought your awareness to it, the HUMAN part of you made it happen.  The same holds true for your BEING part. When you bring your awareness of the BEING part of you into and the NOW moment, you guide your HUMAN part toward making decisions that bring you health and happiness.
 

Sometimes, you are using your BEING Muscle and living in the NOW without even noticing it. Do you remember a time when you were so involved in doing something you loved like drawing, playing, or fishing, that time flew by? ∞ You felt connected to everything and everyone around. You were focused on the NOW and what you were doing had all your awareness. When you are so engaged in what you are doing that you are not worrying about the past or the future, and you are enjoying the NOW moment, your BEING Muscle is getting some exercise.
 

You are born a HUMAN connected to your BEING, but as you grow up, you may get distracted by what goes on around you. It's easy to forget your BEING part, especially when you feel upset, angry, sad, or worried.  That means the HUMAN part has taken over and you are disconnected from your BEING. If someone acts mean or angry, then there is a reason beneath their reactions, but the reason is never you. That includes when I get upset, frustrated, or angry. My reactions are my responsibility even though sometimes I act as if someone else is to blame.  The truth is that I have forgotten to use my BEING Muscle and have disconnected from my BEING. Remember that how someone else acts is never about you. It is always about them.
 

Remember that how someone else acts is never about you. It is always about them. 

Your BEING is a great and reliable guide for creating your life and it helps you make good decisions.  Close your eyes, take a breath, and reach for that BEING Muscle.  Connect to the NOW moment with all your attention, and trust that your BEING knows the best answer for you. That answer will always be in the best interest of everyone as well, because when you connect to your BEING, your choices come from a place of kindness, love, consideration, and respect for yourself and others.
 

Do you remember a time someone (maybe it was me) said or did something to you out of anger or pain? ∞ Did you feel responsible for their anger or pain? ∞ No matter how you felt, are you really responsible for their anger or pain? ∞
 

Remember that your HUMAN part might believe you are the cause, but your BEING part knows that the other person is in pain, and their pain has nothing to do with you. When you use your BEING Muscle, you can respond from your BEING, with love, understanding, and compassion instead of anger, hurt, or fear.
 

In a family we may all want different things so we communicate and work together to find a solution that works for everyone. Sometimes I place my own limitations upon you and I have to remember that you are a different person. I might take too much responsibility for the decisions about your life, but I am going to try to give you more choices, so you can exercise your BEING Muscle. You are creating the reality of your life and it looks different than mine. You are full of wonder and possibilities and no one else is quite like you!  And, you are here to express life in your unique and wonderful way.

As you go through your life, I want you to be the one who determines the right choices for you whether you're at home, at school, or out with your friends. I want to give you the space to have opinions, make choices, and be responsible for yourself. Your BEING is just as powerful as mine. I am not here to protect you from life, I am here to give you the tools, practice, and support to create a life that reflects the power and passion within you. If I give you the opportunity to make more choices about your life and about our life as a family, you will become an expert on making decisions and you won't have to rebel against anyone.  And when those decisions come from your BEING, I trust they will guide you well through life. Whatever you chose I trust you will live your NOW moments with joy and passion for who you are and all you have to contribute to this world.

If you got a bad test score at school, would you believe that you weren't smart? ∞ A test score might represent how much you learned or remembered, but it never reflects who you are. Your brilliance lies in your BEING and is always there.

I want to give you choices that are acceptable to me, but there might be times as you get older that my choices may not be enough for you.  Then I will have an opportunity to strengthen my BEING Muscle! I am growing right along with you. We are teachers for each other, and life is our school.

Conscious parenting and empowering kids begins with the belief that every child is complete, important, and full of wonder-just as you are! You already have a BEING Muscle, all you need to do is remember to use it–and, you can remind me to use mine too! Every NOW moment of each day, we have a choice to live connected or disconnected from our BEING. The goal is to keep that connection to our  BEING as we go about our HUMAN life.

September 2008